PORTAGE, MI – Registration is not required but suggested for an unusual community forum on Saturday that addresses the city of Portage sign ordinances and what changes could be made to those regulations.

The 8:30 a.m.-noon Business Sign Forum at Portage City Hall is sponsored by the city and the Portage City Council Sign Ordinance Committee, chaired by Councilman Ed Sackley.

It is open to residents, local businesses, sign contractors, commercial property developers and anyone else with a comment about the city’s business sign ordinances.

While a reservation is not required, those interested in attending the forum are encouraged to register at www.portagemi.gov or contact the Department of Community Development at 269-329-4477 to indicate their attendance plans and to get more information. As of Tuesday, 13 people had signed up, but the city expects more.

“We want to know what is bad and what is good about our sign ordinance, and to see if there is any need to make adjustments,” Sackley said. “We hope the citizens will be there Saturday.”

Councilman Jim Pearson agreed, adding that it is a rare chance for residents to comment on a single issue in an open forum.

“We’ve all heard the stories (complaints),” Pearson said. “This is a golden opportunity for residents, for business owners. This may be the one time in a decade you'll have an opportunity to show up on a Saturday to comment about the sign ordinance.”

The city will give a presentation on the recent work of the City Council’s Sign Ordinance Committee and the history of local signs and sign regulations.

The forum will be facilitated by TSI Consulting Partners, Inc. and attended by Portage elected and appointed officials and Community Development Department staff.

During the session those who attend will be broken up into discussion groups to address the sign ordinance with the comments shared later during the session.